(a) An offense as defined under this article is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000 in accordance with § 1-6(c). Each separate occurrence of a violation or each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) The filing of criminal charges shall not be a bar against, or a prerequisite for, taking any other action against a violator.
(1) If it is shown on trial of an alleged offense under this article that within three years prior to the alleged offense date the defendant has been once previously convicted of an offense under this article:
a. Except as provided by subsection (b)(1)b. below, upon conviction the defendant shall be fined not less than $250; and
b. If it is also shown on trial of the alleged offense that the defendant was not a residential occupant of the property involved at the time of the alleged offense, upon conviction the defendant shall be fined not less than $1,000 in accordance with § 1-6(c).
(2) If it is shown on trial of an alleged offense under this article that within three years prior to the alleged offense date the defendant has been previously convicted of two or more offenses under this article:
a. Except as provided by subsection (b)(2)b. below, upon conviction the defendant shall be fined not less than $500; and
b. If is also shown on trial of the alleged offense that the defendant was not a residential occupant of the property involved at the time of the alleged offense, upon conviction the defendant shall be fined not less than $2,000 in accordance with § 1-6(c).
(Ord. 13743, § 1, passed 3-23-1999; Ord. 14404, § 1, passed 11-7-2000; Ord. 23569-02-2019, § 2, passed 2-12-2019, eff. 2-23-2019)